THE PEACE CONFERENCE, 1919 161 XII Not only in speeches but also in letters Paderewski often tried to solve his difficulties by a human presentation of the case. This happened at another stage of the fight for Poland's Czechoslovak frontiers in the case of Spisz and Ora\va. The question of these two small districts was finally settled in favour of the Czechs, and there was not the slightest hope of having it reopened. Paderewski felt the Polish defeat very acutely. He came back to the Ritz late at night, after having had to attend a dinner where there were good wines but indifferent speeches. His principal secretary and collaborator was still working in the room next door. Paderewski paused in this room as though to say something. He was looking tired. These days in Paris were more exhausting than the earlier days of long tours and tiring concerts. The divine exhilaration after a concert was missing ; he felt worn out; he was tired of endless dinners and speeches. And yet these dinners and speeches were the occasion for much useful work : they were one of the main channels for the Conference activities. Suddenly he said : " Mr. Jan, we must reopen the question of Spisz and Orawa." The secretary looked up in surprise : " But, Mr. President, you know quite well that is impossible." Paderewski went on in the same tone: " It must be possible. \Ve will approach Clemenceau directly. Draft me a letter to Mm," Then, as though remembering the late hour, he added : " It won't take you long. You always draft such wonderful letters, Mr. Jan." The secretary sat down to work. After an hour's work he had exhausted every legal, political or geographical argu- ment, no matter how far-fetched. All the other arguments had been used during the official negotiations on the subject. He went into Paderewski's room and showed him the draft. " No one could have done it better, my dear Mr. ii